Project description:Mycobacterium abscessus [M. abscessus (sensu lato) or M. abscessus group] comprises three closely related taxa with taxonomic status under revision: M. abscessus sensu stricto, M. bolletii and M. massiliense. We describe here a simple, robust and cost effective PCR-based method for distinguishing among M. abscessus, M. massiliense and bolletii. Based on the M. abscessus ATCC 19977T genome, discriminatory regions were identified between M. abscessus and M. massiliense from array-based comparative genomic hybridization. A typing scheme using PCR primers designed for four of these locations was applied to 46 well-characterized clinical isolates comprising 29 M. abscessus, 15 M. massiliense and 2 M. bolletii previously identified by multi-target sequencing. Interestingly, 2 isolates unequivocally identified as M. massiliense were shown to have a full length erm(41) instead of the expected gene deletion and showed inducible clarithromycin resistance after 14 days. We propose using this PCR-based typing scheme combined with erm(41) PCR for a straightforward identification of M. abscessus, M. massiliense and M. bolletii and assessment of inducible clarithromycin resistance. This method can be easily implemented into a routine workflow providing subspecies level identification within 24 hours of isolation of M. abscessus group.
Project description:Venoms are ecological innovations that have evolved numerous times, on each occasion accompanied by the co-evolution of specialised morphological and behavioural characters for venom production and delivery. The close evolutionary interdependence between these characters is exemplified by animals that control the composition of their secreted venom. This ability depends in part on the production of different toxins in different locations of the venom gland, which was recently documented in venomous snakes. Here, we test the hypothesis that the distinct spatial distributions of toxins in snake venom glands is an adaptation that enables the secretion of venoms with distinct ecological functions.
Project description:The specific genes that distinguish normal fracture healing from abnormal healing or nonunion in humans are unknown. This study was an exploratory investigation of peripheral blood from 2 chronic nonunion patients collected perioperatively (pre/post revision surgery) and at 3 months post revision follow up for comparison to Acutely injured subjects and Healthy volunteer cohorts analyzed separately. We used microarrays to do a global comparison between 2 chronic nonunion patients collected perioperatively (pre/post revision surgery) and at 3 months post revision follow up.
Project description:Mycobacterium abscessus [M. abscessus (sensu lato) or M. abscessus group] comprises three closely related taxa with taxonomic status under revision: M. abscessus sensu stricto, M. bolletii and M. massiliense. We describe here a simple, robust and cost effective PCR-based method for distinguishing among M. abscessus, M. massiliense and bolletii. Based on the M. abscessus ATCC 19977T genome, discriminatory regions were identified between M. abscessus and M. massiliense from array-based comparative genomic hybridization. A typing scheme using PCR primers designed for four of these locations was applied to 46 well-characterized clinical isolates comprising 29 M. abscessus, 15 M. massiliense and 2 M. bolletii previously identified by multi-target sequencing. Interestingly, 2 isolates unequivocally identified as M. massiliense were shown to have a full length erm(41) instead of the expected gene deletion and showed inducible clarithromycin resistance after 14 days. We propose using this PCR-based typing scheme combined with erm(41) PCR for a straightforward identification of M. abscessus, M. massiliense and M. bolletii and assessment of inducible clarithromycin resistance. This method can be easily implemented into a routine workflow providing subspecies level identification within 24 hours of isolation of M. abscessus group. Two-color CGH with 4 independent Mycobacterium clinical isolates and the M massiliense type strain (CCUG 48898) labeled with Cy3 were cohybridized with the M abscessus type strain (ATCC 19977) labeled with Cy5 on a tiling array designed against the M abscessus type strain
